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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-02; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: March 2,2009 (Regular Meeting) TIME OF MEETING: 3:00 p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chair Cress called the Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Gordon Cress Vice-Chair Jack Cumming Commissioner Guy Roney Absent: None Staff Members Present: Robert Johnson, City Engineer Lt. Don Rawson, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 6,2008 ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Cumming, and duly seconded by Commissioner Roney, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on October 6, 2008, as presented. VOTE: 3-0-0 AYES: Cumming, Dorsey, Roney NOES: None ABSTAIN: None There were no Traffic Safety Commission meetings held in November and December 2008 and January and February 2009. March 2,2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Chair Cress called for comments from the public. Thelma Hayes, 2855 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad stated that this was the 21st anniversary of the Carlsbad City Council putting a pedestrian element hi the Traffic Safety Code. She said it was easy to remember because the date was the same as her birthday and she was going to be 91 years old. She indicated that it takes a patient attitude to build sidewalks and correct people's habits from years and years. When she first started there were no sidewalks on the north side of Grand Avenue down to State Street. There were no sidewalks between Grand Avenue on Roosevelt Avenue to the post office. These walking areas were at the core of the redevelopment area. The City of Carlsbad has steadily improved each year. Not being able to see or read well, Ms. Hayes said last year's installation of talking lights was very helpful. Ms. Hayes felt it would be nice if more talking lights could be installed on both sides of the street and she hopes that is something that will be considered in the future. When one can't see the light like her, it is just wonderful to have the talking lights. Ms. Hayes stated that she is on the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation Board. She thinks they have the go ahead on the boardwalk that goes across the lagoon on the east side and the money to take this step. Once they can get the safe walk across the Buena Vista Lagoon, it will be a welcome addition to bring the Audubon Nature Center within easy reach of those who live near the redevelopment area as well as the many visitors. It overcomes the image of Oceanside and their sidewalks right to the border. There is no place for somebody to walk to Carlsbad. Ms. Hayes indicated that she would like school children to have more than 1A mile radius to walk to school and since health is such a big talking point this year, walking to help correct the obesity that children have developed from not being able to walk safely. This is something we should work on. Because of the lack of faculty in schools for physical education, we can help by providing safe places for children to walk. The City needs to actively work with the schools and Police Department to bring this about. We've talked about it, but we've done the minimum. The public always needs to be appraised of where we are. We need to remind them what the walker's rights are. Even though the crosswalks are marked, pedestrians need to look out for themselves because many motorists don't think pedestrians have the right of way. Vice-Chair Gumming asked Ms. Hayes if she walked to school when she was a youngster. Ms. Hayes stated that she had. March 2,2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 Margie Monroy, 749 B Magnolia, Carlsbad stated that when she and her husband, Mario came to Carlsbad in 1978 they read hi the Carlsbad Journal an article about Thelma Hayes. Ms. Hayes was very involved with fixing things up downtown. In due time she met Thelma and she managed to involve her and her husband in a group they formed called the Pedestrian Safety Committee. They wanted the City to acknowledge that pedestrians were part of the traffic pattern hi a city. They worked with staff that were very cooperative with them and the City Council did adopt pedestrian elements of the Traffic Element. Ms. Monroy felt there have been huge improvements made and they are happy to see that. But there are still a few issues that need to be addressed. Highland Avenue still remains a route to school for three schools that have no sidewalks. This is an accident waiting to happen. She wanted to know if any progress has been made in that area - is anyone even thinking about it? Another issue is that Ms. Hayes handed her an email communication regarding a current $46-million grant to be given to schools to encourage students to walk to school, to carpool, to adopt a buddy system, etc. Ms. Monroy was wondering if the City has made any attempt to get information about these grants and whether the City is going to work on an education program, which is what it would be for parents. Could the City partner with the PTA and the school district to see if any such programs are being made? She had a copy of the internet article that she will give to Mr. Johnson. Chair Cress asked where the $46-million was coming from. Ms. Monroy answered that the money was coming from the State of California. Chair Cress asked if it was to the Carlsbad School District. Ms. Monroy answered it was not—it was statewide. Applications have to be made in order to get the grant. She just wanted to be sure someone is following up on this. Chair Cress asked Mr. Johnson if he knew of any capital improvement programs that are set for possible sidewalks on Highland Drive. Mr. Johnson replied that the issue of sidewalks on Highland Drive was addressed about ten years ago with the Street and Sidewalk Committee. The residents at that time did not want sidewalks on Highland Drive. Consequently, the City Council approved the report and the program where there are "compatible streets" where future sidewalks will be built as they currently exist on the street. There are "alternative streets" which would require the residents that live along the street to come forward and request that sidewalks be put in. Highland Drive is on the alternative street design. Until March 2, 2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 residents living there decide they want sidewalks, it is a program that will not be pursued. Mr. Johnson stated that he would take a look at the $46-million grant that Ms. Monroy mentioned. The state does have a Safe Route to School grant program and he sent an engineer to a seminar a week ago and they're looking into that submitting an application for potential funding of sidewalks. Vice-Chair Gumming asked if the funding could survive all of the budget cuts. Mr. Johnson said he thought so. Chair Cress commented that if it costs $46-million for the whole state and we break it down for each school district, that is not a lot of money. Seeing no others wishing to testify, Chair Cress closed public comment. ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Robert Johnson, City Engineer, reported that based on previous actions and recommendations by the Traffic Safety Commission, the City Council has adopted several ordinances since the last Commission meeting in October as follows: (1) Adopt a 45 mile per hour prima facie speed limit on El Fuerte Street from Palomar Airport Road to Faraday Avenue. (2) Adopt a 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon The Crossings Drive from Palomar Airport Road to its northerly terminus. (3) Adopt a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Corte de la Vista from the El Fuerte Street/Alicante Road intersection to its easterly terminus. (4) Designate El Fuerte Street from Palomar Airport Road to Faraday Avenue as a truck route. ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS: ITEM 6A: Revise the prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from Paseo del Norte to Cassia Road. Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that this item was to consider revising the prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from Paseo del Norte to Cassia Road. The subject segment of Poinsettia lane is 1.9 miles in length and is a four lane major arterial that has critical speeds near or above 50 miles per hour. The average daily traffic volumes on Poinsettia Lane varies from east of Paseo del Norte with a volume of 24,683 and east of Black Rail Road with a volume of 8,171. There are 10 intersections that have streets intersecting Poinsettia Lane, seven of which are signalized intersections. March 2, 2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 To change or establish a prima facie speed limit, an Engineering and Traffic Survey is required. The three most persuasive factors to be considered when establishing a prima facie speed limit are (1) critical speed (85th percentile speed); (2) collision history; and (3) conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver. Staff completed two Engineering and Traffic Surveys for Poinsettia Lane. Four speed surveys were performed on two days in September 2008 at locations where prevailing speeds are representative of driver behavior in the speed zone proposed for revision. Critical speeds were found 0.1 mile west of Snapdragon Drive to be 48 miles per hour, 150 feet west of Crystalline Drive to be 51 miles per hour, 200 feet west of Brigantine Drive to be 52 miles per hour, and 100 feet west of Fisherman Drive to be 50 miles per hour. The critical speeds suggest that the prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane at 50 miles per hour would be appropriate. Mr. Johnson indicated the segment collision rate, as indicated in the Engineering and Traffic Survey, from Paseo del Norte to Aviara Parkway is less than half of the statewide rate, based on a 0.89 rate. The collision rate from Aviara Parkway to Cassia Road is 0.3, which is very low compared to the statewide rate of 1.84 for a comparable roadway. In the time period from December 1,2006 through November 30, 2008, there have been 14 mid-block collisions on Poinsettia Lane from Paseo Del Norte to Cassia Road. A valid Engineering and Traffic Survey is required in order for the Police Department to be able to use radar to enforce a posted speed limit. There are no conditions that are not readily apparent to the driver. This is because signing and striping are in place and traffic signals are located at the majority of the intersections, as well as advance warning signs. Land uses and sidewalks adjacent to the roadway are readily visible, and the collision rate is low compared to the statewide rate. The City has experienced some issues with the philosophy of the San Marcos Court and how they are viewing speed limits in jurisdictions in North County. This has resulted in some tickets being thrown out if the Engineering and Traffic Survey is not considered a valid survey. Lt. Rawson explained that Commissioners hi the San Marcos Court are interpreting the law to see if the critical speed and posted speed of the Engineering and Traffic Survey is greater than the posted survey in order for the case to be valid. Before, we could round down for engineering standards and it would still be a valid survey by Carlsbad's definition. What has happened in court to legally written tickets is that Commissioners are often throwing them out of court because there might be 45 miles per hour posted and the survey is at 46 miles per hour. So even one mile over the survey limit now bumps the speed limit up to 50 miles per hour in the Commission's mind. That is not our interpretation of the law at this point. The police in other jurisdictions are working through their attorney's office hi North County and the City and others to try to get with a presiding judge to clarify where the interpretation of the law might be agreed upon. Lt. Rawson stated when officers write tickets, the posted speed limit is less than the critical speed limit. In the case of Poinsettia lane, if we keep it posted at 45 miles per hour none of these surveys would be enforceable by the standards the Commission has set for the motor officers and they would not be able to write tickets using radar. The officers could still use pace, following some visual March 2, 2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 6 estimation, depending on the circumstances, but using radar would not currently be held up at the Commission level in the North County Court. Mr. Johnson stated that based upon the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends raising the prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from 45 to 50 miles per hour from Paseo del Norte to Cassia Road. DISCUSSION Commissioner Roney asked that as you proceed on Poinsettia Lane and turn to Cassia Road and negotiate the turn, do you feel it is sufficient for someone going at a high rate of speed as the road ends and you move over? Mr. Johnson replied that it is a 90 degree turn which can be negotiated by drivers and vehicles safely. Certainly somebody going way too fast wouldn't be able to make a 90 degree turn. The road is signed and striped to accommodate, advise, and warn drivers about that turn. In the future, Poinsettia Lane at the barricade would be extended easterly and would connect about 1,000 feet west of El Camino Real and there would be a continuous stretch of Poinsettia Lane. Until then, we have the condition that currently exists. Commissioner Roney asked if 50 miles per hour was sufficient. Mr. Johnson stated it would not be a 50 mile per hour curve, but the roadway could handle 50 mile per hour traffic. Based on the striping and warning signs, the drivers would be expected to slow so they could negotiate that 90 degree turn at Cassia Road. Taking that turn at 50 miles per hour would be problematic. Chair Cress stated that he lives in that area and drives Poinsettia Lane at least three times per week. He knows the prevailing speed east and west is at least 50 miles per hour. If you're not doing 50, you're holding up traffic. Vice-Chair Gumming commented that he felt more signage might be helpful at the Cassia intersection. To somebody who does not drive it every day, it comes up quickly and it is easy to get caught unprepared. March 2,2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 7 MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Gumming, and duly seconded by Commissioner Roney, to approve the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to raise the prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from 45 to 50 miles per hour from Paseo del Norte to Cassia Road. VOTE: 3-0-0 AYES: Cress, Gumming, Roney NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 6B: Review, comment upon, and approve the TSC rules and procedures, and adopt TSC Resolution No. 2009-1. Mr. Johnson indicated that on April 2,1990 the Traffic Safety Commission adopted TSC Resolution No. 90-1 that established the original procedural rules. The procedural rules have been changed by the Traffic Safety Commission several times since originally being adopted, most recently on February 5,2007. On a yearly basis, the Traffic Safety Commission reviews the procedural rules for the conduct of the Traffic Safety Commission meeting. If changes are required based upon needs identified at Commission meetings in the previous 12 months, changes can be incorporated into the 2009 resolution. If there are no revisions recommended by the Commission, TSC Resolution No. 2009-1 is provided for adoption by the Traffic Safety Commission. Should revisions be necessary, this item will be continued until the next available meeting with the revisions incorporated into the revised resolution for consideration by the Commission at that time. The Commission had no comments or suggested changes. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Gumming, and duly seconded by Commissioner Roney, to adopt the TSC Resolution No. 2009-1 as presented to the Traffic Safety Commission. VOTE: 3-0-0 AYES: Cress, Gumming, Roney NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 7: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS Vice-Chair Gumming observed that the Commission's role is to provide a forum and to advise the City Council. They have been short two Commissioners for some time. Is it appropriate for them to March 2, 2009 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 8 advise the City Council and bring this concern to their attention? It is a little difficult when the absence of a single Commissioner defeats the need for a quorum. Chair Cress agreed. It would be much better if they had five Commissioners. Right now, when one of them is gone, they don't have a quorum. It would behoove all of them to see if they can find somebody who might be interested in joining the Commission. Vice-Chair Gumming asked if the City Council was responsible for recruitment or is it strictly a self- nomination process? Is there a representative function to it? Mr. Johnson replied that the City Council entertains applications for the various Commissions. Word gets out at various meetings and through the internet. There are vacancies on the various Commissions. Once the applications come in to the City Clerk office, they are then processed by the Mayor and City Council. The concerns of the Commission will be known to the City Council because they do read the minutes of the Traffic Safety Commission. The Mayor and City Council are aware of the vacancies on various Commissions. It is being looked at, but until there are applications for the Mayor and City Council to review and process there is no more action that can be taken at this time. The City Council is definitely aware that there are two vacancies. ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Mr. Johnson mentioned that the next regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission is scheduled to be held on April 6, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, Chair Cress adjourned the Regular Meeting of March 2, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Woodbeck Minutes Clerk